Keith Price: The Next stud Washington QB?

How has Keith Price’s first season as UW’s starting quarterback gone? A quote from Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, preparing to face Washington Saturday, sums it up perfectly:

“We’re watching all of last year’s tapes and this year’s tapes and they haven’t missed a beat.”

Is Keith Price the next great Husky QB?

Last year, Jake Locker was the starter. He’s off to the NFL and Keith Price has taken over. To the surprise of some, Washington indeed hasn’t missed a beat.

Price is 75 of 112 for 983 yards. His passer rating of 176.6 is ninth in the country. His 14 touchdown passes through four games, three of which the Huskies have won, make him the FBS’ co-leader.

Locker threw 17 touchdown passes all last season.

Naturally, Husky fans know that Locker put points on the board with his scrambling, too. Price hasn’t piled up big rushing totals, though players and coaches have still praised his ability to make plays.

He’s been so successful in 2011 that some UW fans and pundits are wondering if he’s outplaying Locker, a 2011 first-round NFL pick.

One of the best interpretations I’ve read suggests that Price is at least better than Locker four games into his college career because he’s had two years to learn from coach Steve Sarkasian in a backup role.

That could be true. Whatever the reason, Price has thrilled a Husky fan base that was expecting hard times after Locker’s departure.